This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 17th day of July, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1641], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [556] and Mrs. [2470].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [1641]. Born January 17, 1915, in Bruceville, Indiana. U.S.S. ...,

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1641].
2. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them, some of the appearances or sojourns in the earth are outstanding in their influence - and to the accomplishments of the entity.
3. Yet all of these, including the sojourns in other environments as well - as those relative activities in the influences of the astrological aspects of the entity - should be considered.
4. Then, in giving the interpretations, these are chosen with the desire that there may be a helpful experience for the entity in the application of self as related to that which is constructive in the experience during the present sojourn.
5. As to the astrological aspects, these we find not so much because of the position of a star or planet, or a zodiacal sign; though these as we will find are in the experience of the entity rather those that run true to activities in which there will occur much that would be in keeping with that often accredited to astrological aspects.
6. For both Taurus AND Aquarius make for an influence. Thus we will find these will be a part of the experience, but according to what the entity does about the influence:
7. Inquisitive, - yes; and at times to its own confusion it may be.
8. A very set and determined manner, yes - at times to its own activity for the more perfect material and mental comprehension of that as may be in mind or the intent and purpose of the entity.
9. In those astrological influences, then, we find Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Uranus - are the greater aspects or influences in the experience of this entity during this particular sojourn.
10. Then we will find conditions and environs in which there are large groups or masses concerned will be a part of the entity's activity.
11. Yet these may be individual in their aspect to the entity itself. But that as may be accomplished or done will influence and have an influence upon the many.
12. In Venus we find a social, affectionate nature, with tenderhearted activities on the part of the entity in associations with those which whom the entity may be materially thrown, or those to whom the entity may be drawn; thus making for experiences in which the activities of the entity in the material plane may find the greater expressions.
13. The creative forces in beauty of any nature arise as a part of the experience of the entity.
14. Anything that requires thought, care, love - or the opposites - are to be a part of the entity's experience.
15. For the entity may be known to be a great strategist, and by some a great lover. These are the extremes in the influences that arise from the aspects of the entity's influences from Venus, as combined with the Uranian.
16. Hence we have found and will find extremes to be a part of the entity's experience, in those influences or forces that arise from an interest in the unusual - as would be in the application of self as a strategist; unusual aspects or phases of individuals' activities, or that would influence or produce an impulse in the experiences of others, may be employed by the entity in its activities - or the opposites; those that would appeal to the baser or lower forces.
17. For the greater development, then, there must be an ideal; not only in the spiritual aspects but in the mental and physical also. For there being (and there will be) the consciousness, the experience of the entity - there is the physical body, the mental body, the soul body.
18. In the material there is the expression of that in the physical with all of its attributes to the mental, with its influences from the developments through the sojourns in the material plane as well as from the natural causes of hereditary or environmental influences. Yet through the mental is the choice made.
19. Hence the mental self is the builder ever, whether it is an influence for that environment of the physical body and of the spiritual aspects of the entity in its dealings with the influences that come about, or whether it is an influence in which the entity may find the sources of that as may be amusement or activity for development, or an environment for the choice of expressions of its attributes - whether mental, physical or spiritual.
20. We find the mental self, then, as an exponent or activity in the entity's experience, through the application in its relationships to that as may be the choice of the mental self.
21. These are all then as a portion of the entity. And as to what the entity will do with these depends upon the choices that have been or may be made by the entity itself.
22. For as has been given of old, there is TODAY - NOW - set before thee good and evil, life and death - CHOOSE THOU!
23. The purpose for the entrance of each soul into a material experience is for the development that it, the soul, may be a companion with the Creative Forces. For that purpose this entity, this soul - as all others - came into being; to be a companion with the Creator.
24. There is the knowledge, there is the understanding that flesh and blood may not inherit eternal forces or principles. Hence the soul and mental self must be the builder, and that to such a way and manner that it may enjoy or be at peace in the presence of that it has chosen and does choose as its directing force or guidance.
25. Know then in Whom, - yea in what ye have believed and do believe; and know that the author of same must be able to keep what ye commit unto him against any experience that may arise in thy associations and activities with thy environs, thy fellow man, thy activities in ANY influence; whether in the material, the mental or the spiritual realm.
26. Then as ye know, then as ye have heard, then as ye have in part experienced, - ye HAVE an Advocate, an ensample, a way and manner that is set before thee! that has given thee a way, a manner in which ye may approach all phases of thy activity; whether in the mental or the physical or the spiritual realm.
27. For only the soul lives on. That which had a beginning has an end. Thy soul is a part of the beginning and the end, and thus is one with the Creative Forces or God - if ye will so act in thy relationships with thy purposes, thy desires, as to make that body (with which the soul is clothed) as companionable with Him.
28. These are the purposes, these are the intents for which each soul comes, then, into those experiences and activities in a material world.
29. For He hath not willed that any soul should perish, but hath with every temptation prepared a manner, a way in which ye may know thyself and thy relationships to the Creative Forces - as ye may manifest same to thy fellow man.
30. For as ye do it unto the least of thy brethren, ye meet day by day, so ye do unto thy Maker.
31. As to the experiences or activities of the entity in the earthly sojourns, these as we find arise from the emotions - or IN the emotions in the present, through thy activities in the material plane. Ye ask in thyself, then, "Why is there not a remembrance in my mental self of my sojourn as I may have experienced?"
32. Ye did experience same in those periods during what is known as the French Revolution, when ye - as Renee Chenault, as an aide to Ney, during the greater leaderships and relationships under Napoleon - made for those activities in which the strategies were used in the various campaigns, and the planning for the return of the emperor to the physical activities.
33. Then there were the periods when the entity sought refuge in the land of the present nativity, in portions of what is now central Alabama; yet in the latter portion of its experience the entity gained, with the periods of disillusionments as to the powers by might.
34. Why, ye ask, is there not a response?
35. Look then upon thyself in the present. See what prompts thee in thy desire for accomplishments in the material attributes of thy body, and see if ye do not find these impelling forces arising from those as imparted to the entity then - or thyself - when ye sought to bring POWERS into the experience of those whom ye materially worshiped, as it were; that there might be an idea carried forward into the experiences of men.
36. And ye will find an answer to those impulses that arise within thine own bosom in the present. And unless ye find an answer, then disregard. For the awakening, the awareness of the continuity of life, the desire that ye may carry on, is a part of each soul - and is thine own, if ye will look deep into same.
37. As to the application of those influences that arise from the activities in that sojourn, we find that in the present the activities with the soil became not sufficient to hold the interests of the entity. Also we find that those activities having to do with routine, whether in regulations as for army, navy or any of those forces, have not the power to hold - but are merely a means to an end; as ye accomplished in thy activities during those periods when there was the rebuilding and reestablishing in thy own self and in thy activities among thy fellow men.
38. It is not that which causes the uprising or the tumult or the shout, nor the voice of the trumpets for the mighty, that brings accomplishment within one's own self. These are not God's ways. Rather in the stillness of the night, in the still small voice, in the beauty in the smile of the babe, in the beauty of the blush of the rose, do we find those activities that play upon the hearts and sentiments of men and women everywhere! These are the things that wield the greater power among the masses as well as those that rule in power and in might.
39. And know, as ye learned in those experiences, there is no power given to any man - nor to thyself - save by the will of the Creative Force as an opportunity that he may become more aware of the glory and the purpose of God's ways with man!
40. Before that we find the entity was in the earth during those days when there was much of the exchange between the lands now known as the Roman and the Grecian, when there was the seeking - by those that were coming into power in the Roman land - for much of that pertaining to the physical strength and beauty of the Grecians in their activities in the material plane; when there was rather the worship of the physical strength and the mightiness of man in the physical activities.
41. There we find the entity was among the Grecians who were employed by the Romans in the establishing of those things that were to be known as the Roman Baths, as well as the Roman athletics - or the beginning of the arenas and the activities that were to grow to seed in the hearts and minds of many in the later experiences and bring destructive influences and forces!
42. Yet we find the entity, in the name then Agralda, was rather one who aided, or who added to the activities for a greater use by those who were endowed with the physical strength; in that purposes must be aright with that which is creative in the mental influences of the individuals as they apply themselves in given directions.
43. Or, as would be applied or implied in the present, if an individual has not his heart and soul in whatsoever his activities may be, there is not even the physical accomplishment to such an extent as to bring even a partial success in material activities.
44. In the experience the entity gained and lost and gained; and in the present we will find that much may be drawn from the experiences during that sojourn or activity, as to the abilities for the activities of the entity in its relationships with others; that the body, the mind, the heart or soul must coordinate as one, if there will be in this sojourn, this material experience, the greater accomplishments - either for the material the mental or the spiritual activities.
45. And these are one - the body, the mind, the soul - even as the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit are one; these coordinating, these as a purposefulness not for self, not for self-indulgence, not for self-glory, not for self-gratification alone, but that the glory of Him may be magnified - who has been and who is the beginning and the end of all things in thy experiences!
46. If these are kept, they will bring harmony and peace in thy relationships with the world and the dwellers therein.
47. Be then in the world, yet not of the world.
48. Before that we find the entity was among those who were active in what has been called the "city in the hills and the plains," or in the Persian and Arabian land; during those activities when there was the setting up of communications and activities with the peoples of many lands, owing to the teachings of the leader in that particular land.
49. There we find the entity was among the leader's own tribe, - yea, of the leader's own household; coming after those activities in the "city" had reached such an extent as to cause the many peoples to be drawn into the activities in that city, as a part of same.
50. For the entity then asked and received forgiveness, in the material aspects, and applied self in the activities for the healing as well as the developing of the beauties in the relationships with the peoples of many lands.
51. So may we find the entity active in the present experience, as it studies to show itself approved unto that which is its ideal; rightly divining and dividing the words of truth as they are gathered here and there, in its dealings with the fellow man. Not finding the faults in any, but that common ground where they may come together to seek to find the beauty in all of these relationships.
52. Thus, from those experiences in that land, as Esdern, the entity in the present may make for self those activities among its fellow men - as it chooses its modes and manners of expression and manifestations in the material things - as to bring understanding, and the awareness of the beauties of life, to those that it meets.
53. As life is the manifestation of the Creative Forces, and as the beauties of same manifest themselves in nature, in all of its songs and in all of its beauty of every character, so may the song of the heart find hope and peace! For these are the things, as the entity found there, that create and bring into the experiences of all that which is to make, and does make, every association, every experience, worth while!
54. Sow ye then the seeds of the Spirit; in hope, longsuffering, brotherly kindness, patience, gentleness, - speaking not harmful of anyone; making not those things as would create or bring entanglements of any nature.
55. Thus ye may find the Maker, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts bringing into thy manifestation, and into thy activities and dealings, the beauties rather than the dregs and the ugly things in the human experiences - as are found in hate and contention and vice and revelry. Rather the beauties ye may know!
56. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Atlantean, when there was the breaking up of same; when the children of the Law of One were sending the old as well as the young to the various lands.
57. The entity was among those who, with Ax-Tell and Ajax, brought the understandings to those in the Egyptian land as to the activities in which there might be (and became later) a unifying of purpose in the teachings of the Priest in that experience; as to how, through the activities in the Temple of Sacrifice as well as in the Temple Beautiful, bodies as well as minds were prepared for the special service in given directions in their relationships with the material, the mental and the spiritual affairs of men.
58. Hence we will find the entity in its present activities close to those things in which there are the usages of the mind, and the making of the body-mental AND spiritual a part of same as well, in preparations for definite service, definite fields of activity.
59. But know ye, too, when ye become a specialist in any field - as the body, the mind, the soul must coordinate for the greater purpose, so must thy significant activity in a specific or specified field coordinate with the whole, to bring into the experience of self - as well as others - the greater understanding and comprehension.
60. In regard to the abilities of the entity during that experience, too much might not be said. For, as Azaex-el, the entity made it possible for the abilities of many to be coordinated in the activities of all the fields of service through that period of great development in the material associations.
61. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
62. First: Know in Whom, in what ye believe; and know that He stands at the door of thy heart and thy mind and knocks, and would enter and sup with thee! if ye will but invite Him! Not by might, not by power, "but by my word" saith the Lord of hosts!
63. Keep His promises as thine, for they are as they ever have been. For He is the same as yesterday, and will be forever. If ye will but be His child, He will be thy God.
64. If ye will but be His brother, He will be thy Savior, thy COMPANION who may walk, who may talk with thee in the recesses of thine own conscience, of thine own heart!
65. For His promises are sure! Though the heavens and the earth may pass, His word passeth not! For He is the Maker, the Creator of all things.
66. Keep then those promises as thine - first and foremost.
67. Apply self materially in those directions in which thou hast the ability as the specialist in any field that partakes of Creative Forces or Energies; in MAKING things, in doing things that bring joy, harmony, peace in the minds and the hearts of thy fellow men!
68. Keep thyself unspotted in thy own conscience from the world. Never let a day go by in which thou hast aught against any man, or any man has aught against thee. Thus ye will find the world, the earth, growing better for thou having lived in same!
69. Ready for questions.
70. (Q) For what specific work am I best fitted?
    (A) As indicated, in any field in which there is the creative forces; that which may be made by the hands, designed or created by the mind, that is for the development or for the hope or for the PLEASURE of these hopes being brought into the experiences of others. Any creative thing.
71. (Q) Considering present work, how may I get into a work of that kind?
    (A) Just go to work at it!
    What ye are in, in the present, is creative in itself. These activities may be kept and applied in ALL associations, in whatever field may be the choice for the expressions of the mental self.
72. (Q) Is there any particular section of this country, or other countries, in which I would make the greatest success, mentally, physically and spiritually?
    (A) As may be gathered from the activities through its sojourns in the earth, in which the entity has found special activity, work where thou art! Not that there is not to be gathered knowledge from other lands, other environs, other precincts or localities, and a place for application. But WHEREVER ye are!
    And as ye apply self, the way, the place opens for thy activities.
73. (Q) Considering my past development in relation to other entities, is there any particular woman whom I should marry?
    (A) When ye meet her, and when ye are drawn to her, ye will know her by that answer within thine own self; for the COMPANIONABLE activities will draw ye one to another.
    There are many with whom ye will find ye have conditions to be worked out, as it were. There are those with whom ye may find - as thy very nature implies - ye may cause many a heartache to those of the opposite sex. Yet ye may bring real joy to the ones with whom ye work together.
74. (Q) Please advise me in the selection of this individual.
    (A) This should not be advice from any source other than as the heart answereth to the heart of the one ye contact. And when ye meet her, ye will know it!
75. (Q) Did I enter this plane through free will or was I drawn here through some combination of relative forces for a particular development?
    (A) Yes and no; that is: When the environs, the activities are visioned by the entity seeking a channel for expression, wherein there is visioned (in the environs in which there is free-will) the opportunity for the working out of that needed, ye enter.
    Hence it is not only the creating by the activities of those through whom the soul enters, or who are the channel through which the spirit or soul enters, but it is the choice of the soul for seeking expression in that environ.
76. (Q) Has my soul-entity experienced transmigration through minor plant and animal kingdoms?
    (A) Those kingdoms are of the universal soul-consciousness. Each soul-entity was created, or began in the BEGINNING with the Father; not evolution as from the standpoint that "There wasn't and then there was," but rather the evolution of the environs for the soul-development of those who had wandered from the pathway.
77. (Q) What have been my past relations, present urges and what may I do for the mutual development with the following: My brother [...]?
    (A) These are as conditions in which there have been associations in the experiences or activities through the French sojourn, that are not always pleasant.
    As in the present, ye find yourself drawn to, yet curiously at times drawn far apart as to purposes.
    As to what ye may do about same - sow the seeds of patience and longsuffering, that thy OWN conscience be kept without question.
78. (Q) My sister [...]?
    (A) We do not find an association.
79. (Q) My brother [1330]?
    (A) This as we find was rather an association drawn from the activities or associations and experiences through the Persian and Arabian sojourn; and the associations in the present are drawn rather as duties - rather than other activities.
80. (Q) Dana Nelson?
    (A) Here we find associations were during the experiences in the land of the Law of One, when the associations were very close - companionable to the entity.
81. (Q) Mable White?
    (A) Here we find rather the passing fancies during the sojourn of the entity in the Alabama land. These are passing associations, yet the help, the aid each may be for the other is worth while.
82. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 8/27/38 Card from Rio De Janeiro: "The Reading is so much more than expected and so helpful. Find much of beauty here. Hope to see you in Sept. We return the 22nd."
2. 3/04/40 Letter: "The Life Reading you gave for me continues to be very helpful. Enough time has passed to check or verify certain parts. I am certain that when I am grown old it will be to me as it is now - a masterpiece."
3. 10/11/42 Letter: "Sorry that I have not found more time to study the book, A SEARCH FOR GOD, as any time thus used is well rewarded. Do not feel qualified to comment on it, except that I find it enriching like the company of a perfect friend. It is like discovering a garden behind a wall you've passed many times. There are many ways to put it. Most direct is to say it gives some very helpful pointers on fulfilling the purpose of life...
   "Am now a Chief Petty Officer, advancement made 'in recognition of especially meritorious conduct in action.'"
4. 10/20/42 EC's letter to Mrs. [541] [Quoting Paragraph above]:
   "Very lovely, I think. He is a ship's carpenter, and when I first met him he was determined to desert."
5. 8/12/43 He requested Life Reading for his little nephew, [5227], son of his invalid sister about whom he asked in 1641-1, Par. 78-A.
6. 8/20/43 He wrote of meeting Mrs. [1770] and Miss [1771] [later they mentioned him often in their correspondence].
7. 7/17/44 He obtained a Physical Reading - See 1641-2.
8. 10/14/44 He married a nice Scandinavian girl whom he met after the Life Reading was given.
9. 4/09/46 He told us his marriage had broken up, because his wife wanted it that way, though he still loved her and would continue to try for a reconciliation.
10. 9/23/49 He told us that he had found his life's work in buying, restoring and selling antiques.
11. 9/10/56 He wrote about having enjoyed the A.R.E. Summer School, and that he was now serving as Sunday School teacher in his local church to young people.
12. 8/01/60 Letter in reply to 7/08/60 inquiry [See under 2791-1 Reports]: "In the case of Renee Chenault [1641] I have done no research for black and white evidence of his existence and therefore have nothing helpful to contribute. Three or four casual attempts to find mention of him along with Marshal Ney in books of life of Napoleon and Napoleon Marshalls have brought forth nothing."
13. 7/06/72 He requested, and was sent, a copy of his Life Rdg.
14. 7/77 GD's note: [1641] left on a trip out west - was in an auto accident and had to go to the hospital. On examination it was found that he had a tumor on the brain. HE DIED IN SEPT. OR OCT., 1977. He was a Life Member of A.R.E. We'll miss him.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation